Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, representing Denmark, won the 2024 Miss Universe pageant, which left millions of viewers breathless. The winner was dubbed “the people’s favorite” and did not disappoint, taking the crown on a night full of excitement, controversy and talent. But the controversy hit the pageant organizers and the pageant’s translator just hours after the pageant ended, who apparently made a mistake with her translation of the final questions. Venezuelan Ileana Marquez, who was considered one of the favorites for Miss Universe 2024, experienced a controversial moment in the final gala of the contest, which this year was held in Mexico.
According to Telemundo, the original question asked by judge Margaret Gardiner was about the “perfect woman”; however, the content that was translated to Marquez was about “experiences” or “moments lived”; which affected the contestant’s answer, making it clear that this failure could “could have been a decisive factor in their final evaluation.”
On social media, there was a great deal of controversy over whether the incident was a misunderstanding on the part of the contestant or a translation error on the part of the organisation. Internet users accused the pageant of “sabotage” and “boycott” as this error could have cost Miss Venezuela some very valuable points.
“The translator did not appear and I said that I wanted my translator because the message I was going to give had to be clear and strong so that it would reach all parts of the world,” she said in an interview with La Divaza.
Miss Universe 2024 ranking
- Victoria Kjaer Theilvig (Denmark) – Winner
- Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina (Nigeria) – First Runner-Up
- Maria Fernanda Beltran Figueroa (Mexico) – Second Runner-up
- Opal Suchata Chuangsri (Thailand) – Third Runner-up
- Ileana Marquez Pedroza (Venezuela) – Fourth Runner-up